"Aging is something that has taken me a lot of work to process WELL and not through any cultural (or internalized cultural) lens. It has taken time to accept it and learn to enjoy and value it."
Living and loving life is the mission at any age, and you do it very well. I have twenty years on you and they've been a good twenty. I love my seventies as much as I loved my fifties. The realization that curiosity, growth, creativity, joy stay with us. We don't give up any of those things, they just get deeper. Sending you love goodwill and joyful, creative again. You got this!
I’m 60 in February & I’m so excited! Can’t wait. I’ve enjoyed my 50’s more than any other decade. I’m strength training, I’m selfish about my own desires (at last) & I can now afford silver boots any time I want. My time is my own, I’ve earnt it. Aging to me means freedom. No more painful periods after yrs & yrs of monthly dread. The menopause lets you be yourself because the overwhelming nurturing hormones that made you a peace maker & sometimes doormat disappear & instead let you love & care but not feel so totally responsible for everyone’s well being. They can look after themselves! I for one am loving myself & my life at this age. It’s totally wonderful being this age. Yep, my knees might ache a bit more & my eyesight is crap, but I wouldn’t want to be younger again. This is the best age to be a woman. I feel powerful & strong & I don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks of me. I don’t need to. 😁
Great comment. I agree with everything you said, except at 72, my eyesight is better than it's been since I was in second grade.
In the last few years, I see more clearly when I use the computer and watch TV and walk around without contact lenses or glasses. (I never needed anything to read.) I don't know what happened except possibly getting farsighted has counteracted my lifelong nearsightedness? Has this happened to anyone else?
Your comment is really hitting me that I rarely hear men talking this way - even though Sari has 'em on this feed. I so want for our brothers to get excited about aging, learning new things, gaining (not losing) empowerment!
My friend and I had this conversation yesterday about having careers (me magazine editorial/ her web) that we wanted in our 30s and 40s that demanded a kind of sacrifice that we wouldn't want to make today -- but we also have friends our age (56) who are really having a hard time with feeling they have to be "relevant." I also love the idea here of wanting fewer things in your 50s, not more.
Love this! Just ordered Stacy London's book from Amazon. Her attitude is excellent...living in the NOW is so important. I am 20 years older but well remember my 50's. I am loving my current age as much as when I was in my 40's and 50's. More curious than ever, more creative than ever. Constant growth! Love these interviews with people who are aging so well!
I loved watching Stacy London on What Not to Wear! Definitely a fangirl/boy. What an inspiring interview! I love that Stacy is working on strength training and the project to help others during menopause.
Rey, another WNTW fan here! My husband and I used to arrange our evenings by when we could watch WNTW -- way back in the early 2000s. It was really a highlight of our lives -- so fun. Even today, we'll look at the other and say something like "Stacy and Clinton would not be happy." LOL.
The commitment to being exactly where and when one is really made an impression in this interview- "I never think about what isn’t happening" is hardcore.
(Also, reading the last line brought on some immediate, unexpected, and initially somewhat baffling tears. I didn't know Stacey was in a queer relationship and don't know if she considered herself queer back in the heyday of WNTW, but wow, this is some kind of retrospective balm for what it was like to have a resounding lack of non-Ellen queer women on mainstream television, even as the Fab Five were so widely celebrated, Will & Grace was such a hit, etc. Wishing continued goodness and happiness!)
I can never get over how helpful it is to hear other people's thoughts on aging. (Support groups work!) I too have less ambition and drive. I don't know if it's because as we age, we have less faith in ever arriving at that "shining hilltop in the distance"? Or is it because, deep down, we now know we'll still be ourselves--neither happier nor "better"?
I really enjoy her honesty and I also think the medical establishment should start talking to women about menopause waaaay earlier (as in not when you are already through it!). Kudos to Stacy for bringing awareness! PS love her and her cute skunk stripe. She's fabulous, funny, and oh so smart!
Stacy - you are a great example of living in the present! Loved watching your show and so fun to get to know the real you. Thanks for having her, Sari!
Nov 21, 2023·edited Nov 21, 2023Liked by Sari Botton
I loved What Not to Wear and picked up some good tips from it although I still think you have to be crazy to change in and out of clothing on television. When the show Naked and Afraid was first advertised, I thought it was going to be a show about trying on bathing suits. I adore Stacy and Clinton and miss them. I somehow missed the show Love, Lust, or Run. It sounds fun. Glad you are not giving any f*cks, Stacy and you look amazing in that bedazzled catsuit! Congrats! Oh, and BTW, I even mentioned you and Clinton in a piece I had published in the Ulu Review last month...
Living and loving life is the mission at any age, and you do it very well. I have twenty years on you and they've been a good twenty. I love my seventies as much as I loved my fifties. The realization that curiosity, growth, creativity, joy stay with us. We don't give up any of those things, they just get deeper. Sending you love goodwill and joyful, creative again. You got this!
Love this!!
Love your magazine! Big hugs from your new-to-Substack friend and fan.
I’m 60 in February & I’m so excited! Can’t wait. I’ve enjoyed my 50’s more than any other decade. I’m strength training, I’m selfish about my own desires (at last) & I can now afford silver boots any time I want. My time is my own, I’ve earnt it. Aging to me means freedom. No more painful periods after yrs & yrs of monthly dread. The menopause lets you be yourself because the overwhelming nurturing hormones that made you a peace maker & sometimes doormat disappear & instead let you love & care but not feel so totally responsible for everyone’s well being. They can look after themselves! I for one am loving myself & my life at this age. It’s totally wonderful being this age. Yep, my knees might ache a bit more & my eyesight is crap, but I wouldn’t want to be younger again. This is the best age to be a woman. I feel powerful & strong & I don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks of me. I don’t need to. 😁
This is so inspiring, Adele! Thank you for sharing this upbeat perspective on entering your 60s and the freedom that comes with menopause.
Great comment. I agree with everything you said, except at 72, my eyesight is better than it's been since I was in second grade.
In the last few years, I see more clearly when I use the computer and watch TV and walk around without contact lenses or glasses. (I never needed anything to read.) I don't know what happened except possibly getting farsighted has counteracted my lifelong nearsightedness? Has this happened to anyone else?
Amazing. Good question!
My husband's eyesight keeps getting better, too. It has something to do with your eye flattening out as you age, I think? Not sure! 😂
Lucky you 👍🏻 Got to say I’m a tad jealous of that.
Your comment is really hitting me that I rarely hear men talking this way - even though Sari has 'em on this feed. I so want for our brothers to get excited about aging, learning new things, gaining (not losing) empowerment!
My friend and I had this conversation yesterday about having careers (me magazine editorial/ her web) that we wanted in our 30s and 40s that demanded a kind of sacrifice that we wouldn't want to make today -- but we also have friends our age (56) who are really having a hard time with feeling they have to be "relevant." I also love the idea here of wanting fewer things in your 50s, not more.
I relate to all of this. <3
Yes, that last sentence! “I really want fewer things, not more.” Aces.
"I cannot favor a past that no longer exists for me." Brilliant. She's my new hero. And she rocks the sequin jumpsuit.
Love this! Just ordered Stacy London's book from Amazon. Her attitude is excellent...living in the NOW is so important. I am 20 years older but well remember my 50's. I am loving my current age as much as when I was in my 40's and 50's. More curious than ever, more creative than ever. Constant growth! Love these interviews with people who are aging so well!
<3
I loved watching Stacy London on What Not to Wear! Definitely a fangirl/boy. What an inspiring interview! I love that Stacy is working on strength training and the project to help others during menopause.
Rey, another WNTW fan here! My husband and I used to arrange our evenings by when we could watch WNTW -- way back in the early 2000s. It was really a highlight of our lives -- so fun. Even today, we'll look at the other and say something like "Stacy and Clinton would not be happy." LOL.
Oh that's awesome that your husband and you liked to watch it together. Such a fun show. It was always such a good time. Thanks for sharing!!
Sari, I’m so glad you pick people from all ages and walks of life. Makes me think more and learn more ❤️
Thanks for saying so, Susan!!! <3
The commitment to being exactly where and when one is really made an impression in this interview- "I never think about what isn’t happening" is hardcore.
(Also, reading the last line brought on some immediate, unexpected, and initially somewhat baffling tears. I didn't know Stacey was in a queer relationship and don't know if she considered herself queer back in the heyday of WNTW, but wow, this is some kind of retrospective balm for what it was like to have a resounding lack of non-Ellen queer women on mainstream television, even as the Fab Five were so widely celebrated, Will & Grace was such a hit, etc. Wishing continued goodness and happiness!)
I can never get over how helpful it is to hear other people's thoughts on aging. (Support groups work!) I too have less ambition and drive. I don't know if it's because as we age, we have less faith in ever arriving at that "shining hilltop in the distance"? Or is it because, deep down, we now know we'll still be ourselves--neither happier nor "better"?
Good question! Glad you're enjoying these.
Stacy London ♥️always such a class act 😘
Truly.
I really enjoy her honesty and I also think the medical establishment should start talking to women about menopause waaaay earlier (as in not when you are already through it!). Kudos to Stacy for bringing awareness! PS love her and her cute skunk stripe. She's fabulous, funny, and oh so smart!
Stacy - you are a great example of living in the present! Loved watching your show and so fun to get to know the real you. Thanks for having her, Sari!
I love Stacy's firm living-in-the-present ethos. So healthy!
I love that she identifies herself at her current age. “My favorite age is age I am.”
Love this piece! Her entire philosophy makes so much sense. I am 47, and I hope I can be half as cool as Stacy when I'm 54.
I loved What Not to Wear and picked up some good tips from it although I still think you have to be crazy to change in and out of clothing on television. When the show Naked and Afraid was first advertised, I thought it was going to be a show about trying on bathing suits. I adore Stacy and Clinton and miss them. I somehow missed the show Love, Lust, or Run. It sounds fun. Glad you are not giving any f*cks, Stacy and you look amazing in that bedazzled catsuit! Congrats! Oh, and BTW, I even mentioned you and Clinton in a piece I had published in the Ulu Review last month...